Visit to France - 70th Anniversary of the Dieppe Raid

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 16, 2012

Governor General Will Go to France to Mark the 70th Anniversary of the Dieppe Raid

OTTAWA—At the request of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, will go to France, on August 19 and 20, 2012, to take part in special events commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid. Notably, the Governor General will deliver a speech during the official Canadian ceremony in the Square du Canada, on Sunday, August 19, at 10:30 a.m.

“We must remember, and never forget, that the Dieppe Raid was one of the most devastating and bloody chapters in Canadian military history. But this tragic event provided the Allied forces with invaluable lessons that ensured the success of D-Day in 1944,” the Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada stated. “The sacrifice of those Canadians was not in vain. I am proud to honour their memory today.”

His Excellency will join the Honourable Steve Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, and a Canadian delegation that includes veterans from the Dieppe Raid.

For more information about the 70th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid, including the itinerary of events overseas, visit the Veterans Affairs Canada site at www.veterans.gc.ca.

The visit itinerary is as follows (Central European Summer Time):

Sunday, August 19Dieppe

9 a.m.Ceremony at the Dieppe Canadian War CemeteryThe Governor General will join, among others, Mr. Lawrence Cannon, Canadian Ambassador to France; Mr. Philippe Zeller, French Ambassador to Canada; Mr. Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Kader Arif, French Junior Minister for Veterans; and Mr. Guy Parent, Veterans Ombudsman, in a wreath-laying ceremony and religious service at the Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery (also known as the Canadian Cemetery Les Vertus). This event commemorating the Dieppe Raid is held each year.Dieppe Canadian War CemeteryOPEN TO MEDIA

10:30 a.m.Official Canadian ceremony at the Square du CanadaThe Governor General will deliver a speech, help to unveil a commemorative plaque at the entrance to the Square and lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Canada during a ceremony attended by military personnel, a regimental band (Canadian contingent), mayors and residents of the area. This event is being organized by Veterans Affairs Canada in partnership with the City of Dieppe.Square du CanadaOPEN TO MEDIA

12:30 p.m.Reception hosted by the City of DieppeThe Governor General will deliver a speech during this reception open to the public. A medal of honour will be presented to Mr. Jacques Nadeau, a Canadian veteran of the Dieppe Raid, by Mr. Sébastien Jumel, Mayor of the city of Dieppe, during this event.Marquee on the EsplanadeOPEN TO MEDIA

Sunday, August 19Puys

4 p.m.Ceremony at the Royal Regiment of Canada MonumentThe Governor General will lay a wreath on behalf of Canadians during a ceremony organized by the City of Dieppe to mark the 70th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid. The Royal Regiment of Canada sustained the heaviest losses in a single day of any other regiment during the Second World War.Royal Regiment of Canada MonumentOPEN TO MEDIA

Sunday, August 19Dieppe

6:30 p.m.Mass at the Église Saint-JacquesThe Governor General will give a reading during a mass celebrated on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid. The Archbishop of Rouen, Jean-Charles Descubes, will say the mass, accompanied by Abbot Pierre de Prémare of Dieppe and Chaplain El Dahdouh of the Canadian Forces.Église Saint-JacquesOPEN TO MEDIA

Monday, August 20Hautot-sur-Mer

9 a.m.Ceremony at the Pourville MemorialThe Governor General will join Minister Blaney and the Canadian delegation to pay tribute to the members of the South Saskatchewan Regiment and the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada as part of the 70th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid. His Excellency will deliver a speech and lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Canada. Two commemorative sculptures will also be unveiled during the event.Pourville MemorialOPEN TO MEDIA